Spear AI's $2.3M Boost, GAMBLER AI Trials, & DroneShield's $5M Win - Defense AI Brief #2
July 28, 2025 -
Defense AI Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to this week's edition of Defense AI Brief.
In this edition, Spear AI, a startup founded by Navy veterans, has secured $2.3 million to enhance AI-driven threat detection for U.S. Navy submarines. This funding will support the development of tools to analyze underwater acoustic data, aiming to improve submarine safety and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, US Forces have conducted a field demonstration of the GAMBLER AI system near Fort Bragg, focusing on enhancing real-time combat decision-making through AI and machine learning.
Additionally, DroneShield has been awarded a $5 million contract by the Australian government to supply handheld counter-drone equipment to the Australian Defence Force under Project LAND156. In another development, Israeli startup Scanary has introduced an AI-based platform capable of screening 25,000 people per hour without traditional checkpoints, aiming to enhance security in public spaces. These stories highlight the ongoing advancements and investments in AI technologies within the defense sector.
Welcome to this week's edition of Defense AI Brief.
In this edition, Spear AI, a startup founded by Navy veterans, has secured $2.3 million to enhance AI-driven threat detection for U.S. Navy submarines. This funding will support the development of tools to analyze underwater acoustic data, aiming to improve submarine safety and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, US Forces have conducted a field demonstration of the GAMBLER AI system near Fort Bragg, focusing on enhancing real-time combat decision-making through AI and machine learning.
Additionally, DroneShield has been awarded a $5 million contract by the Australian government to supply handheld counter-drone equipment to the Australian Defence Force under Project LAND156. In another development, Israeli startup Scanary has introduced an AI-based platform capable of screening 25,000 people per hour without traditional checkpoints, aiming to enhance security in public spaces. These stories highlight the ongoing advancements and investments in AI technologies within the defense sector.
Spear AI Secures $2.3M for Submarine Threat Detection
Spear AI, a startup founded by Navy veterans, has raised $2.3 million to enhance AI-driven threat detection for U.S. Navy submarines. The funding will aid in developing tools to analyze underwater acoustic data. Read more
US Forces Test GAMBLER AI for Combat Intelligence
US Forces conducted a field demonstration of the GAMBLER AI system near Fort Bragg, involving multiple agencies and organizations. The test focused on improving real-time decision-making in combat through AI and machine learning. Read more
DroneShield Secures $5 Million ADF Contract
Defence technology company DroneShield has been awarded a $5 million contract by the Australian government to provide handheld counter-drone equipment to the Australian Defence Force as part of Project LAND156. Read more
HAVELSAN Presents AI Strategy at IDEF 2025
At IDEF 2025 in Istanbul, HAVELSAN introduced its multi-domain AI strategy, focusing on AI's impact on defense decision-making and showcasing AI-driven innovations. Read more
Auterion to Supply AI Drone Kits to Ukraine
Auterion will provide 33,000 AI drone strike kits to Ukraine under a $50 million Pentagon contract, enhancing defense capabilities against Russian drone attacks. Read more
NASA, Open Cosmos, and Ubotica Test AI for Space Imaging
A satellite has autonomously captured scientific images using AI technology, marking a first in space exploration. This test involved NASA, Open Cosmos, and Ubotica, showcasing the potential for improved data collection through AI-driven image capture. Read more
Micron Technology Introduces Space-Ready Memory Chip
Micron Technology has launched its first space-qualified memory product, a 256-gigabit SLC NAND chip, designed for AI applications in space missions. Read more
Robert C. O'Brien Joins Strider Technologies' Advisory Board
Former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien has joined the Strategic Advisory Board of Strider Technologies, Inc. to enhance its AI strategy and intelligence capabilities. Read more
Burke Products and Datavault AI Collaborate on Defense Tech
Burke Products, a defense contractor, has partnered with Datavault AI to improve national defense and aerospace technologies by integrating data solutions into existing systems. Read more
Scanary Unveils AI Weapons Scanner for Mass Screening
Israeli startup Scanary has introduced an AI-driven platform for detecting threats in large crowds, capable of screening 25,000 people per hour without traditional checkpoints, enhancing security in public venues. Read more
Safe Pro to Provide AI Drone Tech for US Indo-Pacific Missions
The US government has contracted Safe Pro to supply landmine detection and AI drone technology, including the SpotlightAI system, for missions in the Indo-Pacific region. Read more
Rune Technologies Secures $24M for AI Military Logistics
Rune Technologies, founded by former Anduril employees, has raised $24 million in a Series A funding round to enhance military logistics with AI software. Their product, TyrOS, aims to replace outdated manual processes with intelligent supply systems for remote environments. Read more
Cloudera Secures DoD Software Agreement
Cloudera has been awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement by the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance AI-driven data solutions across federal agencies. This agreement will streamline the procurement and deployment of Cloudera's secure data platform for the DoD, U.S. Coast Guard, and Intelligence Community over the next five years. Read more
Stratom Wins US Navy Contract for Autonomous Refueling System
The US Navy has granted Stratom a contract to develop an autonomous refueling system for uncrewed surface vehicles, enhancing naval logistics and operational endurance. Read more
Odd Systems and Terma Group Collaborate on AI Drone Interceptor
Ukrainian startup Odd Systems and Danish firm Terma Group are working together to develop a cost-effective AI-powered drone interceptor, targeting the detection and interception of various drones. Read more
European Defence Tech Funding Rises 26% in H1 2025
Funding for European defence tech startups increased by 26% in the first half of 2025, reaching €946.3 million. Helsing, a German AI defence tech company, led the funding with a €600 million Series C round. Read more
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